The Fashion Plate Magazine

The Alberto Zambelli fashion show for Spring 2017 riffed on The Garter Ceremony in England where new knights take the oath before the queen and are invested with the royal insignia upon a splendid robe.

For the collection, the Alberto Zambelli “insignia”, embroidered in smooth Jacquard, appeared throughout the collection on blouses, pantsuits and dresses. Other looks in the collection offered a softer reinterpretation of the often heavy and deep pieces one would find at the royal occasion. The collection presented faux draping on silk twill, innovative patchwork designs on techno-drill fabrics, and simple cloth-quilted plate guards with Swarovski crystal embellishments.

A standout design made ingenious use of Georgette fabric. The soft layer floated away from the body in exaggerated proportions recreating the feeling of a grand ball gown. Decorative suspenders in shimmering nylon, one would imagine beneath the gown as support, were left exposed where they dangled uselessly on the shear Georgette fabric.

In opposition were sack dresses with the same suspender straps and with laser cut ruffles adding a punk edge. The dresses were shown in mid-calf length with stirrup socks and kitten heels in patent leather.

The poetic collection was intelligent and innovative, and offered a fresh take on historic design that was light, humorous and fun.